Meghan Markle on tour in Australia: What the Duchess of Sussex wore Day 5

THE Duchess has outfit-repeated for the first time during the Australian tour. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.

THE Duchess of Sussex has been wearing an interesting selection of pieces by emerging Australian designers and her longstanding favourite labels since commencing the royal tour.

But tonight’s outfit was the first time during the tour of Australia Meghan stepped out wearing something we’ve seen her in before.

Meghan arrived at the Invictus Games welcome reception at the Sydney Opera House ahead of the opening ceremony wearing a Stella McCartney dress she previously donned for the Queen’s Birthday celebrations at London’s Royal Albert Hall in April.

Duchess Meghan in a coat by @GillianA for @WinserLondon🧥 pic.twitter.com/LRZoIgVjvB

— Omid Scobie (@scobie) October 20, 2018

Meghan wore the same dress that was seen under her coat tonight, as she did at Royal Albert Hall attending a star-studded concert to celebrate the Queen's 92nd birthday in April. Picture: John Stillwell/WPA Pool/Getty Images

The outfit repeating wasn’t Meghan’s only sartorial surprise this evening — she also out in a label no one could have predicted.

It wasn’t an Australian designer. It wasn’t a British name favoured by the royal family. It wasn’t an internationally recognised couturier.

No, no. The designer was one most of us didn’t even know had turned her hand to fashion — former X-Files star Gillian Anderson.

Meghan turned up to the Invictus Games welcome reception at the Sydney Opera House’s famed Bennelong restaurant in a coat by Dana Scully.

She wore a navy coat from the actor and director’s capsule collection for British label Winser London.

I’d say the coat is Gillian Anderson for @WinserLondon - I’ve got loads of their stuff. It’s gorgeous! pic.twitter.com/M2ruEYyBIT

— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) October 20, 2018

Meghan wore a Gillian Anderson for Winser coat over a Stella McCartney dress. Picture: Ian Vogler/AP

Daily Mail royal reporter Rebecca English was among the first to identify the piece, saying she had some pieces from the line in her own wardrobe.

“I’ve got loads of their stuff. It’s gorgeous!” she tweeted.

While we’ve not yet had a good look at what Meghan’s wearing under her coast, it’s been reported the Duchess wore a Stella McCartney dressed that she’s been spotted in before.

Meghan paired the navy outfit with nude Stuart Weitzman pumps.

HIDDEN MESSAGE IN MEGHAN’S OUTFIT

THE Duchess of Sussex has abandoned her relentless support of Australian designers, straying across the ditch for today’s wardrobe choice.

But we’re not mad about it — she did so for a good reason.

Meghan arrived at Sydney’s Hyde Park to open the redesigned ANZAC Memorial dressed head to toe in sophisticated black.

The Duchess wore a button down dress by New Zealand designer Emilia Wickstead, who infamously accused Meghan of copying one of her designs for her wedding dress — and was later forced to issue an apology for her comments.

Meghan also whipped out the first piece of headwear for the tour, a fascinator by famed London milliner Philip Treacy, and patent black slingback heels by US label Tabitha Simmons.

Meghan’s outfit choice contained a subtle message that was suited to the event.

While a cynic could see the choice of a Kiwi designer as a snub to Australia, there’s actually a very touching reason Meghan may have made the careful outfit choice.

Choosing a New Zealand designer was perhaps a subtle nod to the military partnership between Australian and New Zealand to which the couple were paying their respects at the ANZAC Memorial ceremony.

This morning’s event was also the first time Harry threatened to upstage his wife in the fashion stakes.

Prince Harry was dressed in the military uniform of the Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons cavalry regiment. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

The Prince was in full military uniform, sporting the British Army’s Blues and Royals tropical dress.

Harry’s dashing white dress suit was accompanied by his many military medals, including one signifying his role as a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.

It just about went unnoticed, but Meghan also wore a New Zealand designer yesterday during the couple’s trip to Bondi Beach.

While much was made of the Duchess’s Martin Grant dress — an Aussie designer she has favoured throughout the trip — most of us didn’t pick up on her accessories.

Meghan wore a pair of earrings by NZ favourite Karen Walker. The “temptation studs” feature a pair of dyed freshwater pearls and retail for $369.

Meghan also wore a Kiwi designer yesterday, but it almost went unnoticed. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Meghan wore @karenwalker’s Temptation Stud earrings: https://t.co/bPLgMa3vts pic.twitter.com/Wmtzf5oEsb

— What Meghan Wore (@WhatMeghanWore) October 19, 2018

Over the past four days, the Duchess has worn nearly $30,000 worth of designer outfits.

The pregnant royal’s cashed-up wardrobe has included a Martin Grant trench coat ($2262), Dion Lee dress ($1282), Stuart Weitzman heels ($656) and a Gucci mini Sylvie bag ($2650).

CLASSY RESPONSE TO FASHION FEUD

As well as a touching tribute to the ANZACs, Meghan’s outfit choice also signified an act of forgiveness.

The Duchess’s selection of an Emilia Wickstead dress laid to rest a fashion feud started by the New Zealand designer.

The designer shocked the fashion world with criticism of Meghan’s wedding look.

After the May royal wedding, Wickstead accused the new royal of having a dress designed that she claimed was a copy of one of her own designs.

Wickstead claimed Meghan’s Givenchy gown, which came with an estimated cost upwards of $300,000, was a rip-off of her own $12,000 design.

New Zealand designer Emilia Wickstead was critical of Meghan’s wedding day look. Picture: REX/Shutterstock

“Her dress is identical to one of our dresses. Apparently a lot of commentators were saying ‘It’s an Emilia Wickstead dress’,” she told the Daily Mail at the time.

The bitter designer bizarrely reportedly went on to criticise Meghan’s wedding day look and hairstyle.

“If you choose a simple design the fit should be perfect. Her wedding dress was quite loose,” she said.

“I was like, ‘hold the wisps back — it’s a royal wedding for God's sake’."

But Wickstead was later forced to issue a grovelling apology after popular Instagram fashion account Diet Prada pointed out the similarities between Meghan’s dress and a 1967 Givenchy design.

Unsurprisingly, the Duchess did not respond to the reported comments, and considering today’s outfit selection, she didn’t appear to be bothered by them.

Meghan has worn the Kiwi designer’s creations on a number of formal occasions, and the designer is also a favourite of her sister-in-law, the Duchess of Cambridge.

ROYAL COUPLE’S CASUAL COSTUME CHANGE

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex both underwent outfit changes and are dressed more casually after the formalities of their earlier visit to the ANZAC Memorial.

Arriving on Cockatoo Island for the first event of the Invictus Games, Meghan, who had been wearing a conservative black Emilia Wickstead dress and Philip Treacy hat this morning, had changed into black jeans by Mother and a white jacket.

Meghan and Harry had a casual costume change before their arrival at Cockatoo Island. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Under the Altuzarra jacket, Meghan wore her official Invictus polo shirt, as did her husband.

Harry swapped his military uniform for grey trousers which he also paired with an Invictus polo, and both royals wore dark sunglasses.

The Cockatoo Island event is the couple’s second in Sydney today.

They’re expected to glam up for an evening reception at the Sydney Opera House ahead of tonight’s official opening ceremony.